US6630755B2 - Guardian personnel protection system - Google Patents

Guardian personnel protection system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US6630755B2
US6630755B2 US09/991,004 US99100401A US6630755B2 US 6630755 B2 US6630755 B2 US 6630755B2 US 99100401 A US99100401 A US 99100401A US 6630755 B2 US6630755 B2 US 6630755B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
folding
person
wall
lead
electrical operation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US09/991,004
Other versions
US20030094859A1 (en
Inventor
James T. Petriello
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US09/991,004 priority Critical patent/US6630755B2/en
Publication of US20030094859A1 publication Critical patent/US20030094859A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US6630755B2 publication Critical patent/US6630755B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
    • E05F15/00—Power-operated mechanisms for wings
    • E05F15/60—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators
    • E05F15/603—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors
    • E05F15/605—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors for folding wings
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
    • E05F15/00—Power-operated mechanisms for wings
    • E05F15/40—Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
    • E05F15/42—Detection using safety edges
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
    • E05F15/00—Power-operated mechanisms for wings
    • E05F15/40—Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
    • E05Y2400/00—Electronic control; Electrical power; Power supply; Power or signal transmission; User interfaces
    • E05Y2400/65—Power or signal transmission
    • E05Y2400/66—Wireless transmission
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
    • E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
    • E05Y2900/10—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for buildings or parts thereof
    • E05Y2900/13—Type of wing
    • E05Y2900/142—Partition walls

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to electrically operated folding walls and more specifically to electrically operated gymnasium partitions.
  • a first object of the invention is to enable electrically operated folding walls to overcome the obvious safety shortcomings of prior devices.
  • a second object is to provide electrically operated folding walls that will include a safety device that will respond to contact with a person or object and immediately shut down the electrical control circuit, disabling the operable folding wall.
  • a third object is to provide said safety device without the need for cumbersome and often unreliable wiring, which must bend one hundred and eighty degrees each time the folding wall is operated due to the fact that it must be physically attached to the top of the folding wall.
  • a fourth object is to provide an operable folding wall that is safe to operate at any given time.
  • a fifth object is to provide a safety system that is reliable, simple and easy to operate.
  • a sixth object is to provide a safety system that is on and armed as long as the folding wall electrical supply circuit is energized.
  • FIG. 1 is a top view of a typical electric folding wall.
  • Item 1 is the folding wall's track that the wall rides on.
  • Item 2 is the first or lead panel.
  • Item 3 is the drive motor assembly.
  • Item 4 is the electrical control box, containing the folding wall's electrical relays.
  • Item 5 is the receiver unit from the invention, which is connected to the electrical controls of the folding wall.
  • Item 6 is the transmitter unit of the invention, which is connected to the lead edge sensor.
  • Item 7 is the lead edge sensor.
  • Item 8 has been omitted from this view for clarity.
  • Item 9 is the building wall.
  • Item 10 is the floor mat(s) positioned under the folding wall.
  • Item 11 has been omitted from this view for clarity.
  • Item 12 is a reset button.
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of a typical electric folding wall.
  • Item 1 is the folding wall track.
  • Item 2 is the lead panel.
  • Item 3 is the drive motor assembly.
  • Item 4 is the electrical control box of the folding wall.
  • Item 5 is the receiver unit of the invention.
  • Item 6 is the transmitter unit of the invention.
  • Item 7 is the lead edge sensor.
  • Item 8 is the floor of the building.
  • Item 9 is the wall of the building.
  • Item 10 is the floor mat(s) positioned under the folding wall.
  • Item 11 is the folding wall trolley that rides along the folding wall track.
  • Item 12 is a reset button.
  • the lead edge sensor ( 7 ) acts as a bumper, mounted on the leading edge ( 2 ) of the folding wall.
  • the switch inside closes, completing a circuit inside the transmitter ( 6 ), which then transmits a radio frequency signal to the receiver ( 5 ).
  • the receiver ( 5 ) then sends a signal via hard wires to the electrical control box ( 4 ), which in turn opens the common circuit of the electrical control circuit, which immediately halts the operation of the folding wall by shutting off power the drive motor assembly ( 3 ).
  • the major advantage of the transmitter ( 6 ) and receiver ( 5 ) being wireless is the elimination of cumbersome and unreliable wiring that would have to be strung along the top of the folding wall. It is this wiring that is prone to fraying and other damage due to the fact that it must bend one hundred and eighty degrees each time the folding wall is operated.
  • the floor mats ( 10 ) operate in much the same way as the lead edge sensor ( 7 ). That is to say, while the folding wall is traveling in a reverse direction, a person may attempt to travel behind it to get to the opposite side of the room. In their attempt to do so, they would be required to step on the floor mat ( 10 ). The force of the weight of the person would then close the switch inside the mat and complete a circuit inside the electrical control box ( 4 ), which would open the common circuit of the electrical control circuit and halt the operation of the folding wall as described above.
  • the operator may reset the safety device by pushing a reset button ( 12 ) allowing the power to be restored to the drive motor assembly.

Landscapes

  • Power-Operated Mechanisms For Wings (AREA)
  • Operating, Guiding And Securing Of Roll- Type Closing Members (AREA)

Abstract

Electrically operated folding operable walls controlled by an electrical operation circuit of the type having a key switch, a control panel, an extend limit, a stack limit, control relays and a motor. The invention consists of a mechanism designed to provide safety during the operation of said folding walls by sensing a person or object with a lead edge sensor, floor mat sensors, and a wireless transmitter and receiver assembly that, when wired to the folding wall control panel, will shut down the operation of the folding wall. Another mechanism provides for the restarting of the folding wall by resetting the relay inside the control panel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
“Not applicable”
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
“Not applicable”
SEQUENCE LISTING
“Not applicable”
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the invention: the invention relates generally to electrically operated folding walls and more specifically to electrically operated gymnasium partitions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first object of the invention is to enable electrically operated folding walls to overcome the obvious safety shortcomings of prior devices.
A second object is to provide electrically operated folding walls that will include a safety device that will respond to contact with a person or object and immediately shut down the electrical control circuit, disabling the operable folding wall.
A third object is to provide said safety device without the need for cumbersome and often unreliable wiring, which must bend one hundred and eighty degrees each time the folding wall is operated due to the fact that it must be physically attached to the top of the folding wall.
A fourth object is to provide an operable folding wall that is safe to operate at any given time.
A fifth object is to provide a safety system that is reliable, simple and easy to operate.
A sixth object is to provide a safety system that is on and armed as long as the folding wall electrical supply circuit is energized.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top view of a typical electric folding wall.
Item 1 is the folding wall's track that the wall rides on.
Item 2 is the first or lead panel.
Item 3 is the drive motor assembly.
Item 4 is the electrical control box, containing the folding wall's electrical relays.
Item 5 is the receiver unit from the invention, which is connected to the electrical controls of the folding wall.
Item 6 is the transmitter unit of the invention, which is connected to the lead edge sensor.
Item 7 is the lead edge sensor.
Item 8 has been omitted from this view for clarity.
Item 9 is the building wall.
Item 10 is the floor mat(s) positioned under the folding wall.
Item 11 has been omitted from this view for clarity.
Item 12 is a reset button.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a typical electric folding wall.
Item 1 is the folding wall track.
Item 2 is the lead panel.
Item 3 is the drive motor assembly.
Item 4 is the electrical control box of the folding wall.
Item 5 is the receiver unit of the invention.
Item 6 is the transmitter unit of the invention.
Item 7 is the lead edge sensor.
Item 8 is the floor of the building.
Item 9 is the wall of the building.
Item 10 is the floor mat(s) positioned under the folding wall.
Item 11 is the folding wall trolley that rides along the folding wall track.
Item 12 is a reset button.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Electrically operated folding walls are inherently dangerous simply because of the large amount of force needed to move their immense weight. If pinned by a folding wall, a person can be severely injured or killed by its crushing force. Using the drawings as a guide, the description is as follows: The lead edge sensor (7) acts as a bumper, mounted on the leading edge (2) of the folding wall. When the lead edge sensor (7) comes in contact with a person or object, due to the folding wall moving in a forward motion, the switch inside closes, completing a circuit inside the transmitter (6), which then transmits a radio frequency signal to the receiver (5). The receiver (5) then sends a signal via hard wires to the electrical control box (4), which in turn opens the common circuit of the electrical control circuit, which immediately halts the operation of the folding wall by shutting off power the drive motor assembly (3). The major advantage of the transmitter (6) and receiver (5) being wireless is the elimination of cumbersome and unreliable wiring that would have to be strung along the top of the folding wall. It is this wiring that is prone to fraying and other damage due to the fact that it must bend one hundred and eighty degrees each time the folding wall is operated.
Furthermore, the floor mats (10) operate in much the same way as the lead edge sensor (7). That is to say, while the folding wall is traveling in a reverse direction, a person may attempt to travel behind it to get to the opposite side of the room. In their attempt to do so, they would be required to step on the floor mat (10). The force of the weight of the person would then close the switch inside the mat and complete a circuit inside the electrical control box (4), which would open the common circuit of the electrical control circuit and halt the operation of the folding wall as described above.
Once the operation has been halted, the operator may reset the safety device by pushing a reset button (12) allowing the power to be restored to the drive motor assembly.
While certain features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without changing in any way the spirit of the invention.

Claims (1)

What I claim is new and desired to be protected by patent is set forth in the appended claims:
1. Electrically operated folding operable walls controlled by an electrical operation circuit of the type having a key switch, a control panel, an extend limit switch, a stack limit switch, control relays and a motor, in which the invention being a safety system comprises:
a) Means for providing a lead end sensing edge mounted on the leading edge of the lead (first) panel using an aluminum or PVC mounting channel, mounted in a vertical configuration from the bottom of the panel to six feet in height placing the sensor in the best possible location to allow it to strike an object or person while the motorized operable wall is in a forward motion thereby applying pressure to the lead edge sensor;
b) Means for providing one or two floor mats, placed under the partition, in the stack area to allow an object placed on or a person stepping on said mats thereby applying pressure, to activate the internal strip switch while the motorized operable wall is in a reverse motion;
c) Means for transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal from either the lead end sensing edge or the floor mats to a remote receiver, when either the lead sensing edge has made contact with a person or object or a person has stepped on, or an object has been placed on the floor mats;
d) Means for shutting down the electrical operation circuit of said folding operable walls when a person or object comes in contact with the lead sensing edge, or a person steps on, or an object is placed on the floor mats, said shutting down means includes a control unit electrically connected between the control panel of the electrical operation circuit and the RF receiver, which will turn off the electrical operation-circuit upon receiving an RF signal from either RF transmitter located at the aforementioned lead sensing edge or floor mats;
e) Means for restarting the electrical operation circuit of said folding operable walls after the person or object has been removed from the path of the folding operable wall; said restarting means includes a reset control switch, either button or key operated, mounted on the wall in proximity to the operable folding wall's original operating switch which, when activated, will reactivate the electrical operation circuit allowing the folding operable wall to be operated again.
US09/991,004 2001-11-16 2001-11-16 Guardian personnel protection system Expired - Lifetime US6630755B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/991,004 US6630755B2 (en) 2001-11-16 2001-11-16 Guardian personnel protection system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/991,004 US6630755B2 (en) 2001-11-16 2001-11-16 Guardian personnel protection system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20030094859A1 US20030094859A1 (en) 2003-05-22
US6630755B2 true US6630755B2 (en) 2003-10-07

Family

ID=25536747

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/991,004 Expired - Lifetime US6630755B2 (en) 2001-11-16 2001-11-16 Guardian personnel protection system

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US6630755B2 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040069420A1 (en) * 2002-10-15 2004-04-15 James Petriello Guardian personnel protection system-quantum series
US20100302001A1 (en) * 2009-05-27 2010-12-02 Gym Door Repairs, Inc. Electrically operated folding partition system with biometric authentication
US20160247372A1 (en) * 2013-09-19 2016-08-25 Roger P. Sylvester Security barrier system
US20180258676A1 (en) * 2017-03-07 2018-09-13 Hufcor, Inc. Operable wall assembly with drive system
US10577853B2 (en) 2016-05-08 2020-03-03 Modernfold, Inc. Systems and methods for controlling the operation of a movable panel wall system
US12157998B2 (en) * 2022-04-28 2024-12-03 Grand Slam Safety, LLC Space divider system for indoor facilities

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004091510A2 (en) 2003-04-11 2004-10-28 Medimmune, Inc. Recombinant il-9 antibodies and uses thereof
US20110291839A1 (en) * 2010-05-27 2011-12-01 Cole Stephen F Control system actuated by a human touch for folding partitions

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5821644A (en) * 1991-06-07 1998-10-13 Sommer; Frank-Uwe Safety system for passage closure members

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5821644A (en) * 1991-06-07 1998-10-13 Sommer; Frank-Uwe Safety system for passage closure members

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040069420A1 (en) * 2002-10-15 2004-04-15 James Petriello Guardian personnel protection system-quantum series
US20100302001A1 (en) * 2009-05-27 2010-12-02 Gym Door Repairs, Inc. Electrically operated folding partition system with biometric authentication
US20160247372A1 (en) * 2013-09-19 2016-08-25 Roger P. Sylvester Security barrier system
US10577853B2 (en) 2016-05-08 2020-03-03 Modernfold, Inc. Systems and methods for controlling the operation of a movable panel wall system
US11391080B2 (en) 2016-05-08 2022-07-19 Modernfold, Inc. Systems and methods for controlling the operation of a movable panel wall system
US20180258676A1 (en) * 2017-03-07 2018-09-13 Hufcor, Inc. Operable wall assembly with drive system
US10415288B2 (en) * 2017-03-07 2019-09-17 Hufcor, Inc. Operable wall assembly with drive system
US12157998B2 (en) * 2022-04-28 2024-12-03 Grand Slam Safety, LLC Space divider system for indoor facilities

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20030094859A1 (en) 2003-05-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5191268A (en) Continuously monitored supplemental obstruction detector for garage door operator
US6597291B2 (en) Garage door monitoring system
US6630755B2 (en) Guardian personnel protection system
US20090260289A1 (en) Door Safety System
CA2866051A1 (en) Movable barrier safety sensor override
US20130086841A1 (en) Overhead Door Object Detection Apparatus
US4843639A (en) Fully automatic garage door opener
US20040069420A1 (en) Guardian personnel protection system-quantum series
DK2236732T3 (en) gate
US20120112875A1 (en) System and method for an automatic door operator having a wireless safety sensor
KR101889816B1 (en) Emergency Rescue System Using Radar Sensor
JP2010529338A (en) High speed door
KR101888012B1 (en) Emergency Rescue Method Using Radar Sensor
US6209262B1 (en) Obstruction sensing system for a gate
WO2017073247A1 (en) Opening and closing device control system
KR100983249B1 (en) Control apparatus for stopping descent of fire preventing shutter
JP6399879B2 (en) Switchgear
JP7142599B2 (en) shutter device
US20130111813A1 (en) Preventing the improper installation of an automatic door safety circuit
KR200478461Y1 (en) Autodoor
JPH078795Y2 (en) Safety equipment for electric shutters for construction
JP3116854U (en) Shutter bi-directional braking safety device
JP2006200187A (en) Opening/closing body and safety device therefor
JP2019078035A (en) Control board and parking device
JP2555137Y2 (en) Obstacle detection device for shutter

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PETITION RELATED TO MAINTENANCE FEES FILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: PMFP); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
REIN Reinstatement after maintenance fee payment confirmed
FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

SULP Surcharge for late payment
FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20111007

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PETITION RELATED TO MAINTENANCE FEES FILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: PMFP); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PETITION RELATED TO MAINTENANCE FEES GRANTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: PMFG); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

Free format text: PETITION RELATED TO MAINTENANCE FEES DISMISSED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: PMFS); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

PRDP Patent reinstated due to the acceptance of a late maintenance fee

Effective date: 20120222

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 12

SULP Surcharge for late payment

Year of fee payment: 11